Tax refund for overpaying council

Bath and North East Somerset council is to get a windfall of nearly £5m after overpaying VAT on museum charges.

The authority said it was a "one-off" increase in resources which would give it more financial flexibility.

The refund, calculated by HM Revenue and Customs, includes interest and the net receipt after costs will be £4.77m.

Councillor Malcolm Hanney said while it would help to keep down council tax increases, the refund would not resolve all the financial challenges.

"The council must still make further efficiencies to the services we provide, to redirect resources to fulfil the eight improvement priorities set out in our vision for the local community," he said.

The priorities include £3.3m over the next three years to improve community safety and £2.3m to meet waste and recycling targets.